Weather cooperates for parade

Holding the parade over for a week due to the threat of rain turned out to be a great idea, allowing the Holiday Lights Parade and to happen under clear, cool skies Friday night. Fort Bragg Fire Department and North Coast Rodders made the decision last week to hold the events over, due to the threat of bad weather, which arrived as predicted. Fire Chief Steve Orsi spoke to business owners after the event. He said that while most favored having the evening festivities on First Friday, some did not. He said in the future, having the parade on a second Friday may work better for all.

Inside the Guest House Museum, Santa's lap hosted a long parade of good boys and girls, even if some were a bit scared to meet him in person.

Out front, the Mendocino Women's Choir, Jamie Peters and Hugh Connolly and the Gloriana Carolers performed before the tree lighting. Those waiting along Main Street could not hear Mayor Dave Turner announcing the lighting of the tree and were surprised to hear the countdown begin. Despite some local controversy over the replacement of the tree on the Guest House lawn by volunteers the day before the parade, most seemed happy with the tree and how it was decorated.

While many were expecting the parade to first head south on Main Street, it instead went east on Pine and turned south onto Franklin Street. While many simply walked from Main to Franklin, most waited on Main for the parade to come around via Oak Street. Chief Orsi said the clockwise direction works better for safety reasons because in past years, officials found it hard to keep traffic off Main Street as the parade was returning on Franklin.

If any one entry was a hit with the kids, it was the City's Public Works truck, which featured an operational toy train set with lighted buildings, a ski tram and even a miniature lighthouse. Frank & Lynda Davis controlled the trains by remote. When the truck passed the Guest House, driver Crystal Prairie and navigator Rosana Cimolino had to stop for a few minutes to allow crowds of kids to get a closer look. The entry took first place in its category, followed by Redwood Children's' Services in second and the Fort Bragg Veterans of Foreign Wars taking third place.

In the large commercial truck category, Rossi's Building Materials took first place.

Mike's Classic Car Wash took first place honors in the medium commercial category, followed by Branesky Sheet Metal in second and Fort Bragg Fire Department in third.

Footlighters was awarded First Place in its category and Mike's Classic Car Wash took Best in Show.